"He gave them to us not because he's realized the error of his ways, but because he treats the American people like dogs -- throw us a bone every so often, and he can expect us to fetch the paper for him."

Absolutely. The sooner barry soetoro can get the republicans back to business as usual through "compromise" at the people's expense, the sooner and further he can press his anti-American agenda.

It's great Obama has finally made a move towards embracement of a policy that will allow middle class individuals to avoid at least some of the crushing tax burden that would otherwise have taken place without an extension of the current tax rates ... which is hardly the same as making an actual tax cut, as this was heralded by the new-speak purveyors from the left to be.

It's also great that as part of this embracement, he seemingly finally acquiesced to the overwhelming conservative position that not also extending the same current rates to people and businesses in that 97 percentile where most new job creation actually has the opportunity to take place was the same as committing economic suicide at this juncture.

It's even noteworthy that many see this as an effort by this president to finally pay attention to the overwhelming position of the electorate at large in making such an agreement at all, something more than a few of us wondered if he were capable of at all, leaving one to wonder if perhaps a shipment of some high quality ear wax remover might have miraculously found its way into the oval office.

Lastly, while the libs are now screaming bloody murder for what they view as a betrayal by Big O of the promises he made them for continuation of the liberalist dream they feel his election mandated he shove through for them … all this has to give reasonable folks pause to wonder, at what eventual cost?

Over the past two years now, Obama has utilized the strong-arm political tactics so long associated with the roots of his Chicago styled politics, coupled with his legislative majority, all while being cheered on by the liberal base with chants of “Go, Go, Go!”, to shove through more leftist based legislation and implement more liberal policies than most Americans ever thought possible in such a whirlwind fashion, and just as surely, to conservatives complete chagrine.

Then all of a sudden, last months election results served to jointly diminish the legislative majority he so enjoyed, and at least most of us hoped, send a clear and unmistakable wake-up call that we hoped was to be a precursor of at least some sort of move on this administrations part to a more centrist position. Reasonable men and women today in America have to wonder, is it finally happening? Did Obama finally "get" what we've been so diligently trying to convey?

While political optimists and pundits, joined by the staunch conservative base have high hopes this move points to some level of much needed progress having been achieved, at least part of the costs of the deal that's been struck with Republicans is knowable.

In what most would view was a truly uncharacteristic move on Obamas part, he sweetened the deal with an additional 2% abatement in taxes for most of the (still) employed American public, what a stunner indeed!

Of course our guy from Chicago couldn't simply agree to these concessions without expectations of getting something in return for this piece of legislative generosity, hence more arm twisting and wrangling, as is his MO, also requires agreement to an extension of unemployment benefits for an additional 13 months to grease the wheels and get this deal rollin' down the tracks.

Anyone with a reasonable sense of economics knows this extension of benefits and the dollars it will send forth, all have to come from some where, which means there's surely at least this cost to be considered as a byproduct of this agreement.

A cost as Michelle Malkin so aptly pointed out in another article here, will mean not only more federal deficit, but also a tax hike on the very same individuals and businesses Obama seems to have been magnanimously extending the current tax rates for in having made this agreement at all.

Had this extension of current tax rates been perceived as a compliment, most would similarly have viewed this aspect of it as a “back handed” one, all things considered.

However, conservatives will still herald this all as a victory overall as at least the American working public and small business owners coast to coast will breathe a joint sigh of relief and feel they now at least have some reasonable expectation of what their tax burden will look like for at least the short term, as Obama has also promised to revisit this tax structuring agreement two years down the road. Still and all this is no doubt a level of economic certainty than they had expectations of even a short week ago.

The question that burns in this conservatives mind however is, where's the other shoe, and when will it fall?

With Obama so enamored of the back door deals he helped engineer so far within his term, one has to wonder if the stated obvious cost for his support of the tax extension is really all there is to this?

With the DREAM act still on the legislative agenda, much needed quieting in congress for implementation of the FCCSs plans for their over-reaching control of internet regulation and the New START treaty ratification (to note just some of the more important items) yet hanging in the balance before the lame ducks head home for the winter, with some, such a pilgrimage to be their last such trip, one has pause to wonder, was one of these famous back door deals also a part of Obamas tax rate extenuation support?

If we see an unusual level of Republican support for any of these legislative agenda items in the near future (aka legislative defection) , perhaps we'll get an answer to that question. Till then, all we can do is count what blessings we at least seem to have a chance for in the present … and wonder ;>)

I don't understand why, when the Dems shrilly scream about tax cuts for the rich, the Republicans don't counter with the fact that increasing taxes on the rich increases taxes on everyone, because most of the rich get their tax money from consumers. Increasing taxes on anyone (especially the rich) almost always results in decreased revenue because the rich hide their money in tax-free instruments, increase costs of goods and services, or decrease quality or quantity. Instead, the Republicans say we shouldn't be raising taxes on anyone in this type of economy. Not a word about we should not be raising taxes at all, or how the top 1% (those with AGIs of 380,000 dollars or more) of taxpayers pays 38% of all taxes.

Ron - you give the republicans way too much credit for thought and character. And you assume they really do care! That's sweet.

Last week we were told that Social Security is bankrupt. So reducing the inflow by 2% is supposed to make it solvent?

mrkim, The editors ask us to "Please keep comments civil and brief." Shapiro's column: 834 words, your comments on Shapiro's column: 974.

Hi Bob,

Sorry buddy, literary thrift really isn't a talent I possess.

I agree with Bob. Perhaps literary thrift is a virtue you should cultivate. I do however; agree with your message.

Richard Ryan

Lamar, Missouri (Birthplace of Harry S Truman)

Mrkim,

Although I understand the sentiments behind the comments expressed above, I must strongly disagree. One must have the patience to sort the wheat through the chaff.

It is always enjoyable to read your posts just to reach the point your making. Keep the faith brother. BTW, I enjoyed your post more than the original article... sorry Ben.

It's just a masquerade until he proves otherwise?

LOL!

"Proving otherwise" will only mean a better disguise, not that he's changed his spots. And a gullible public.